Paper guide means for pattern duplicating machine



Feb. 28, 1967 F. J. cuTRz 3,306,194

PAPER GUIDE MEANS FOR PATTERN DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed June 50, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 TTORNEYS F. J. CUTR] Feb. 28, 1967 PAPER GUIDE MEANS FOR PATTERN DUPLICATING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 30, 1965 Q mw m 3 3 a 60 v T WK in 23 f:

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Feb. 28, 1967 F. J. CUTRI PAPER GUIDE MEANS FOR PATTERN DUPLICATING MACHINE j KTTQRNEYS w w ummw WWW mam hmw Ew n MAN Filed June 30, 1965 MWN M m mm .H L

United States Patent OfiFice 3.3%,194 Patented Feb. 28, 1967 orl:

Filed June 31' 1965, Ser. No. 468,412 6 Claims. (Cl. Nib-131} This invention relates to spirit duplicating machines and is a continuation in part of my prior US. application Serial No. 451,478, filed April 28, '1965 for pattern duplicating machine.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a spirit duplicating machine which makes it possible to transfer a pattern from a master sheet to a copy sheet which has been moistened with spirit so as to receive an impression of the pattern carried by a master sheet, in a well known manner.

My aforesaid prior application is directed, among other features, to a rotary main roller and a counter roller cooperating therewith to press against each other a master sheet and a copy sheet which pass together between the main and counter rollers. The copy sheet is guided along a given path to the main roller, and along this latter path there is situated, spaced from the main roller, moistening means for applying spirit to that face of the copy sheet which subsequently is pressed against the master sheet. The structure further includes a pressure roller which presses the copy sheet against the main roller just prior to engagement of the copy sheet with the master sheet, and this pressure roller engages the face of the copy sheet which has just previously been moistened by the mostening means.

In a machine of this type, the master sheet and copy sheet are fed from holders through the main feed roller and counter roller, and hence to pickup rollers. The master sheet roller must be loosely supported by their holders, without the use of braking devices or other tension devices. This makes it very diificult to assure accurate registration of the two rolls, throughout their movement, and such accurate registration is essential for perfect pattern duplication. The problem is particularly serious in connection with the master pattern roll, since the master sheet is commonly rewound each time that it is being used.

One object of this invention is to provide improved guide means for guiding the master roll from its holder to its point of contact with the copy paper, so as to make it possible, by extremely simple manual manipulation, to shift the position of the master sheet while it is being fed, to insure its accurate registration with the copy paper.

It is particularly important that the guide means be simple in construction, and that the manipulation required to shift the paper be extremely easy to handle.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, I provide, for such guide means, a holder for loosely supporting a roll of the master sheet parallel to and spaced from the main and counter rollers, together with first, second and third idler rollers and a rod all parallel to and spaced from each other and said holder and main and counter rollers. The first idler roller is located above the holder and in front of the main and counter rollers. The second idler roller is located between the first idler roller and the main and counter rollers. The third idler roller is located in front of and above the level of the first and second idler rollers. The rod is located between the second and third idler rollers and intersects the line tangent to the top of the second idler roller and the bottom of the third idler roller.

Accordingly the master sheet can be extended from the holder over the front and top of the first idler roller,

under, behind and over the second idler roller, under the rods, under, in front of and over the third idler roller and back under the rod, the master sheet being thereby engaged in double thickness by the rod.

Further in accordance with the invention, the line tangent to the bottom of the rod and the press line of the main and counter rollers is also tangent to the top of the second idler roller so as to maintain the master sheet in double thickness between the rod and the second idler roller when extended from the rod to the main and counter rollers. Optionally, adjustable braking means for the second idler roller are provided.

As a result of the above construction, the guide means is adapted to maintain the master sheet under sufiicient friction along a sutficiently long path so that finger pressure on the master sheet adjacent either side edge thereof against the first idler roller causes shifting of the master sheet on the idler rollers in the direction outwardly of such side edge. Put in other terms, the operator can stand in front of the machine, watching the feeding of the master sheet and copy sheet. If the master sheet moves slightly out of alignment, the operator need only exert finger pressure upon the master sheet, against the first idler roller, adjacent the appropriate side edge of the master sheet, so as to cause correcting shifting of the master sheet to maintain the desired registration thereof with the copy sheet.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the annexed drawings, which form part of the application, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation of the machine of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevation of the machine of the invention as seen from one side;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view, partly in section, on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3 and showing the manner in which the position of the master sheet can be adjusted; and

FIG. 5 is a section on line 5--5 of FIG. 3.

Upon reference to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the structure includes a main roller 19 which is illustrated as turning in a clockwise direction, this main roller cooperating with a counter roller 12 which is situated directly over the main roller it? for pressing together the master sheet M and copy sheet C. A moistening means 14 is provided for applying spirits to that face of the copy sheet C which subsequently is placed against the master sheet M by the rollers 10 and 12. A means is provided for guiding the copy sheet C along a different path to the main roller 10, and this latter means includes the structure for positioning the copy sheet supply roll 16 as well as the turnable guide roll 18 around which the copy sheet passes before reaching the main roll 19. It will be noted that the moistening means 14- is spaced from the main roller it Instead of simply being moistened just prior to engaging the master sheet, the copy sheet is further engaged by a pressure roller 29 which cooperates with the main roller 10 to press the copy sheet against the main roller 19 just prior to engagement of the master sheet by the copy sheet. This pressure roller 21 thus serves to impress the spirit into the fibers of the copy sheet C and to distribute the film of spirit uniformly over the copy sheet so that the quality of the copy is enhanced by the pressure roller 2% The master sheet M moves from the master sheet supply roll 42 (FIG. 2) around first, second and third idler rollers 26%, 201 and 262, and rod 203 and then along stationary guide member 26 and around the counter roller 12 to the master sheet ickup roll 28. The copy sheet C '3 travels from the supply roll 16 around the guide roll 13 and the master roll it) to the copy sheet pickup roll 30.

Upon reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be noted that the machine includes a frame means 34 having a pair of sidewalls 36a and 36b. The counter roller 12 includes a shaft 50 supported for rotation within slide blocks 54 (only one shown), which are guided for vertical movements in suitable openings 56 (only one shown) formed in the sidewalls 36b and 36a respectively. Springs (not shown but similar to the corresponding springs described below and used in conjunction with roller 16) urge the slide blocks 54 downwardly, and thus the counter roller 12 is supported by rotation by bearing means supported by the frame means 34 for movement toward and away from the main roller 10.

The shaft 38 which carries main roller is supported for rotation by bearings (not shown) which are directly carried by the sidewalls 36a and 36b, respectively, so that the axis of rotation of the main roller 10 is fixed. Reduced shaft portions of the main roller shaft 10 respectively carry circular cam rings 42 (one shown) adjacent to and outside of the sidewalls 36a and 3612, respectively. A sprocket wheel 46 is fixed to shaft 38 and is driven by chain 48 which is in turn driven from a suitable motor (not shown), so that the main roller 10 is directly driven in order to operate the machine.

Reduced portions of the shaft 50 of the counter roller 12 turnably carry a pair of identical levers 62 (one shown) either of which can be manually turned by the operator,

and these levers 62 respectively carry cams 64 which can respectively be turned into and out of engagement with the cam rings 42 in a manner described in greater detail below.

Any suitable meshing gears (not shown) may be provided on shafts 38 and 51 so that the drive is transmitted from main roller 10 to counter roller 12. This is fully explained in my aforesaid prior application. Outwardly of wall 36b, shaft 50 fixably carries a sprocket 68 which through a chain 7 0 drives a second sprocket 72 carried by the shaft 74 on which the master sheet takeup roll 28 is wound. Optionally, shaft 74 may be driven from sprocket 72 through any suitable slip clutch (not shown). Shaft 74 also carries a further sprocket (not shown) which through a suitable chain drives the shaft 84 which carries the copy sheet pickup roll 39. These shafts 74 and 84 are supported for rotation by the sidewalls 36a and 36b of the frame means 34.

The moistening means 14 includes a trough 88 and a moistening roller 92 which dips into the spirit within trough 88 and which of course is capable of engaging the face of the copy sheet C which is to be subsequently pressed against the master roller M, as pointed out above. The trough 88 is mounted for movement about a pivot 94- so as to permit adjustments of the trough position. The roller 92 is mounted on a shaft (not shown) which carries a gear which meshes with a gear on shaft 38, so that the roller $2 is driven in unison with the main roller 10. The details of such drive are fully set forth in my aforesaid prior application. The trough 83 is supported by side extensions (one shown) which are turnably mounted upon shaft 38. As a result, the trough 88 can be moved about the axis of shaft 38, while the respective gears remain in mesh.

In order to raise and lower the moistening means 14, the trough 88 has a downwardly directed surface engaged by one or more cams 98 (one shown), and these cams 98 are fixedly carried by a rotary shaft 100 supported for rotation by the sidewalls 36a and 36b of the frame means 34 and fixedly carrying a manually turnable lever 102. Thus, the operator by turning the lever 102 can turn the cams 98 so as to raise and lower the moistening means 14. Any suitable means is provided for maintaining the lever 102 in selected position. Optionally, the cams 98 are provided with flats, as exemplified by the fiat 98x, which flat is horizontal and uppermost and flush against 4 the fiat bottom of trough 88 in the cam position corresponding to the lowermost trough position.

Means are provided to adjust the height and tilt position of the raised trough 88. Horizontal block 9 is fixed to vertical side frame pieces 8b by means of screws 8. A pair of screws 7 are adjustably threaded downwardly through threaded bores of block 9, with the screw heads above the block and their tips below the block. The tips of screw 7 abut the top of an end wall of trough 88 when the trough is raised. If the tips of screws 7 are in a common horizontal plane, trough 88 will be horizontal. If slight tilting of trough 88 about the axis of roller 92 is provided, this can be obtained by appropriate adjustment of the abutment screws 7. Also, the adjusted position of these screws determines the height to which the trough can be raised. Accordingly, the screws 7 provide means to adjust the tension of copy sheet C against roller 92.

The pressure roller 21 is mounted for rotation through a structure which is almost identical with that which mounts the counter roller 12 for rotation, except that the structure for mounting the pressure roller 20 is, of course, oriented differently. The shaft 26a of pressure roller 20 is carried by bearings which are supported for rotation by slide blocks 112 (one shown), and these blocks are guided for movement in openings 114 (one shown) of the sidewalls 38a and 38b of the frame means 34. A spring 116 forms a spring means urging the slide block 112 towards the main roller 10, so that while the counter roller 12 is urged downwardly toward the main roller, the pressure roller 20 is urged upwardly into engagement with the main roller 10. In a plane which is perpendicular to the axes of the rollers 10, 12 and 20, the line which interconnects the axes of the rollers 10 and 12 meets with the line which interconnects the axes of the rollers 11) and 26 at an angle greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees.

As will be apparent from my aforesaid prior application, the shaft of the pressure roller can carry a gear which meshes with a gear on shaft 33 so that the drive for the main roller 11] serves to drive pressure roller 20, in addition to counter roller 12.

Also, reduced portions of the shaft of the pressure roller 28 turnably carry the manually turnable levers 120 (one shown) which respectively carry cams 122 (one shown) capable of engaging the circular cams 42 carried by the main roller shaft 38. The front edges of the plates 36a and 361) are formed with downwardly and rearwardly inclined notches 124a for receiving the shaft 124 on which the copy supply roll 16 is mounted.

A pair of brackets 126 and 128 are fixedly carried by the wall 361) to permit the swinging of the lever 120, and a similar pair of brackets 139 and 132 are provided for determining the end positions of the lever 62. Similar brackets (not shown) may be provided for the corresponding levers on the other wall 36a. These brackets can frictionally engage the levers to retain them in their end positions or any other suitable means such as a releasable detent structure or the like may be used for this purpose.

The shaft 124 which carries the copy sheet supply roll 16 fixedly carries a grooved brake pulley 134, and the wall 36b fixedly carries a pin 136 to whch one end of a brake band or rope 138 is fixed, this braking element 138 passing around the pulley 134 and carrying a weight 141), so that through this construction the rotation of the supply roll 16 is suitably braked.

With the above-described structure, during normal operation the drive will be transmitted from the main roller by means of the above-mentioned transmissions to the counter roller 12, the pressure roller 20, and the take-up rolls through the chain and sprocket drives described above, and to the moistening roller 92, also described above.

Whenever it is desired to thread the machine the operator need only turn the levers to displace the counter roller 12 and pressure roller 29 away from the main lever 10, so that the threading operation can be very easily carried out. At the same time, the operator can turn the lever 192 so as to lower 'the moistening means 14, and in this way also the threading operations need not be hampered by the moistening means.

It will be appreciated that the mechanisms associated with the rollers 1d, 12 and 29 and the moistening means 14 are described and claimed in my aforesaid application, and this invention has particular reference to the guide means for the master sheet M, and particularly the idler rollers 2%, 2M and 252 and guide rod referred to above.

The frame means 36 includes, in 36:: and 3365 referred to above, any work including front leg means 2S5. ing trough 2% is secured to leg means 2% by means of bracket 2&7. The master sheet supply roll 22 is loosely and turnably received upon the semicylindrical inner surface of trough 296, as shown in FIG. 2, with the master sheet 19 being drawn upwardly from the rear of the roll, as shown in the drawing. The roll 22 may be wound on any suitable spindle 26-3.

The first idler roller 2% is mounted on shaft 2539, the ends of which are turnably received in extensions 21% of the respective frame walls, one such extension 21d being shown FIG. 2. Accordingly, the first idler roller 200 is located at the front of the machine, above the roll 22, with the axis of roll 2% slightly below the level of the axis of rollerltl. The paper M is carried over the front and the top of roller 2%.

The roller 2 h} is located closer to the rollers it} and 12 than roller 292 and rod 2:23, the roller 261 being supported upon shaft 211 the ends of which are journale-d in the frame walls 35:: and 36b. The paper is threaded under, around the rear of and over roller 291. The run M1 of the paper M between the too of roller 26% and the bottom of roller 2. 31 is optionally substantially horizontal.

The roller 232 is supported upon shaft 212, which shaft is journaled within the frame walls 36a and Roller 262 is located intermediate the front or first idler roller 2% and rear or second idler roller 251, and is located above the level of roller 231. The paper is threaded in a run M2 from a point P1 of roller 201 near its top to a point P2 of roller 202 near its bottom and is threaded around the front and over the top of roller 2tl2. The ensuing rearward return run of the paper is designated by the reference character M3.

The rod 293 is provided with extensions of reduced diameter which extend through the frame walls 36a and 36b, outwardly of which they are threaded to receive tightening nuts 213, so as to prevent turning of rod 2%. The two runs M2 and M3 extend under rod 293, and the vertical position of rod 2% is such that it bears frictionally against the two runs M2 and M3, as shown in FIG. 1. The paper rearwardly from rod 223 passes over the top of support 25 and hence between the rollers it) and 12. The top surface of support 26 is downwardly inclined slightly so as to correspond with the inclination of the paper passing over it, to insure smooth support of the paper. The position of rod 2G3 relative to roller 201 is such that the run of paper M4 between rod 2 23 and the rollers and 12 remains in substantial flush contact with the run M2 until the point P1 of roller 2%! is reached.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the folder 206 serves loosely to support the roll 22 parallel to and spaced from the respective main and counter rolls 1 and 12. The first, second and third idler rollers 29%), 2&1 and 202 and the rod 293 are all parallel to and spaced from each other and from the holder and from the main and counter rollers. The first idler roller 2% is above the holder 2% and in front of the main counter rollers 10 addition to the wall suitable base frame- A laterally extendand 12. The second idler roller 21)} is between the first idler roller 2% and the main and counter rollers ill and 12. The third idler roller 2&2 is in front of the second idler roller 29'; and above the level of the first and second idler rollers and The rod is between the second and third idler rollers Ztll and 282 and intersects the imaginary line which can be drawn between the points L P2, this bein substantially the line which would be ta; ge t to the top of the second idler roller 2:5 1 and the bottom of the third idler roller Accordingiy, the master sheet M extended from the holder over the front and top of the first idler roller 2 under, behind and over the second idler roller 261, under rod 2&3, in front of and over the third idler roller 28 2 and back under rod 233 is frictionally engaged in the double thickness of runs M2 and M3 by such rod it is further clear that the imaginary line which is tangent to the bottom of rod 2% and the contact or press line of the and couner rollers 19 and 12 is tangent to the top of the second idler roller, substantially engag ing it at points Pl, so as to maintain the master sheet M in euga 'ng double thickness in the portions of the runs M2 and M3 between rod 2 353 and the point P1 when the paper is extended from the rod to the main and counter rollers in the manner shown. Since it is difiicult to show the two thicknesses of paper, for convenience the drawing shows the arrow 234 designating the path of movement of to run M2 between the point P1 and the rod 2% while the arrow 215 is provided to designate the direction of movement of the run M3 between the rod 263 and the point Pl. The run M4 serves as a coplanar extension of the portion of run M3 between rods 2% and point P1.

in order further to provide the desired tension upon the paper M, a brake is provided for the shaft 211 carrying the second idler roller 2%. This brake is shown generally in FIG. 3 and is shown in detail in 5. The brake comprises a continuous, somewhat bendable metal strap 22% which is extended around the stationary rod 293 and the shaft 211. Thus, the strap 229 has two generally parallel legs 228a, connected by a loop 22% around the side of rod 233 remote from shaft 211, and connected at the other end by a convex loop 22t'lc which extends conformingly around shaft 211. The inside of loop 22%.: is faced by a brake lining or friction material 222, optionally leather. A pin 221 extends transversely through rod 263 in a direction perpendicular to the arms 229a, and extends loosely through openings 223 in such arms 226a, so as to prevent the brake device from shifting in the direction of the axis of rod 293.

The tension of the brake material 222 upon shaft 221 is controlled by belt 224 and nut 225. The bolt 224 extends perpendicularly through the arms 22tla, intermediate rod 203 and shaft 211, said bolt 22 havin a head 225 adjacent one arm 220a. The nut 225 is screwed onto the threaded bolt 224 against the other arm 22th: and it will be apparent that the tightening or loosening of nut 2.25 causes corresponding adjustment in the braking tension upon shaft 211.

The guide means, as the result of the foregoing construction, is adapted to maintain the master sheet M under sufiicient friction over a sufiiciently long path so that finger pressure on the master sheet adjacent either side edge thereof against the first idler roller 24%} causes shifting of the master sheet M on the idler rollers in the direction outwardly of such side edge. Thus, the fragmentary view of FIG. 4 shows the master sheet M and shows one of the side edges 231) thereof. The view also illustratively shows pressure exerted by the operators finger 231 upon the sheet M against the first idler roller 2%, adjacent such side edge 239. The result of such pressure is to cause a gradual outward shifting of sheet M, in the direction of arrow 232, to the position M of the master sheet M illustratively shown in broken lines in FIG. 4.

It will be apparent that the desired tensi n upon the master sheet M, permitting the desired operating adjustment result, is obtained as a result of the selected friction upon the roller 201 from the brake referred to above, coupled with the tension resulting from the location and stationary condition of rod 203, and the manner in which the two runs M2 and M3 are in flush abutment between rod 203 and point P1, all as discussed above in detail. The result of the added tension exerted by the finger 231 is to enable the opposite side of the sheet M to travel slightly faster, and this causes a corresponding compensating movement of the sheet in the direction of arrow 232.

The rolls 74 and 34 are provided with a plurality of pairs of corresponding markings corresponding to various widths of pattern paper which are used in conjunction with the machine. For example, FIG. 3 illustratively shows a pair of markings 235 on each roller 74- and 84 corresponding to the narrowest width of paper which is to be used, and shows other marking pairs 235a corresponding to an intermediate width of paper. However, these markings are used only for the initial threating of the paper from the roll 221, on the path above described, to the passage between the two rollers 1i) and 12. This insures initial proper lateral registration of the master sheet M with the copy sheet C. The rolls 2%, 201 and 262 and rod 293 are provided with other pairs of markings, such as the illustrated pairs 236 and 236a, corresponding to different widths of paper. In this particular instance, which is an illustrative example, the width of paper corresponds to the markings 2350 on the one hand and 236a on the other hand. Accordingly, initial threading of the paper is in line with the markings 235a. This means that while the paper is running, it should be aligned with the markings 236a. lllustratively, the paper M shifted slightly laterally to the left. The pressure exerted by finger 231 was sufficient to return the pap-er to the broken line position M, in which the edge 23% is again aligned with the markings 236a. Accordingly, it is extremely simple for the operator of the machine to watch the paper, while it is being fed through the machine, and to exert finger pressure upon master sheet M, at any necessary time, so as to maintain the paper M guided upon the correct pair of markings upon the idler rollers and the rod 203.

While I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of my invention, and have indicated various possible changes, omissions and additions which can be made in the invention, it will be apparent that various other changes, omissions and additions may he made in the invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. Paper guide means for a machine of the type described having a main feed roller, a counter roller paraliel to and coasting with said main roller for pressing against each other a master sheet and a copy sheet which pass together between said main and counter rollers, said guide means comprising a holder for loosely supporting a roll of said master sheet parallel to and spaced from said main and counter rollers, and first, second and third idler rollers and a rod all parallel to and spaced from each other and sadi holder and main and counter rollers, said first idler roller in front of said main and counter rollers, said second idler roller between said first idler roller and said main and counter rollers, said third idler roller in 'front of the second idler roller and above the level of said first and second idler rollers, said rod between said second and third idler rollers and intersecting the line tangent to the top of said second idler roller and the bottom of said third idler roller whereby the master sheet extended from said holder over the front and top of said first idler roller, under, behind and over the second idler roller, under the rod, under, in front of and over the third idler roller and back under the rod and then between said main and counter rollers is frictionally engaged in double .thickness by said rod, said guide means being thereby adapted to maintain said master sheet under sufficient friction along a sufficiently long path so that finger pressure on said master sheet adjacent either side edge thereof against said first idler roller causes shifting of said master sheet on said idler rollers in the direction outwardly of said side edge.

2. Guide means according to claim 1, the line tangent to the bottom of said rod and the press line of said main and counter rollers being tangent to the top of said second idler roller so as to maintain the master sheet in double thickness between said rod and said second idler roller.

3. Guide means according to claim 1, said guide means also comprising adjustable means braking said second idler roller.

Guide means according to claim 2, said guide means also comprising adjustable means braking said second idler roller.

5. in a spirit duplicating machine, a main feed roller, a counter roller parallel to and coacting with said main roller for pressing against each other a master sheet and a copy sheet which pass together between said main and counter rollers, means directing a copy sheet along a given path to said main roller, moistening means situated along said path in advance and spaced from said main roller for moistening the copy sheet with spirit at that face of the copy sheet which is subsequently pressed against the master sheet by coaction of said main and counter rollers, and means for guiding said master sheet to said main and counter rollers so as to permit manual adjustment of the master sheet to maintain registration thereof with the copy sheet, said guide means comprising a holder for loosely supporting a roll of said master sheet parallel to and spaced from said main and counter rollers, and first, second and third idler rollers and a rod all parallel to and spaced from each other and said holder and main and counter rollers, said first idler roller above said holder and in front of said main and counter rollers, said second idler roller between said first idler roller and said main and counter rollers, said third idler roller in front of the second idler roller and above the level of said first and second idler rollers, said rod between said second and third idler rollers and intersecting the line tangent to the top and said second idler roller and the bottom of said third idler roller whereby the master sheet extended from said holder over the front and top of said first idler roller, under, behind and over the second idler roller, under the rod, under, in front of and over the third idler roller and back under the rod is frictionally engaged in double thickness by rod, the line tangent to the bottom of said rod and the press line of said main and counter rollers being tangent to the top of said second idler roller so as to maintain the master sheet in double thickness between said rod and said second idler roller when extended from said rod to said main and counter rollers, said guide means being adapted to maintain said master sheet under sufiicient friction along a sufiiciently long path so that finger pressure on said master sheet adjacent either side edge thereof against said first idler roller causes shifting of said master sheet on said idler rollers in the direction outwardly of said side edge.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, said apparatus also comprising a brake mounted upon said rod and bearing frictionally against said second idler roller, and means for adjusting the tension of said brake against said second idler roller.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 627,329 6/1899 Dratz 101-131 3,154,011 10/1964 Gottscho et a1. 101-228 3,241,484 3/1966 Crissy 101-1325 ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

H. P. EWELL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. PAPER GUIDE MEANS FOR A MACHINE OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED HAVING A MAIN FEED ROLLER, A COUNTER ROLLER PARALLEL TO AND COACTING WITH SAID MAIN ROLLER FOR PRESSING AGAINST EACH OTHER A MASTER SHEET AND A COPY SHEET WHICH PASS TOGETHER BETWEEN SAID MAIN AND COUNTER ROLLERS, SAID GUIDE MEANS COMPRISING A HOLDER FOR LOOSELY SUPPORTING A ROLL OF SAID MASTER SHEET PARALLEL TO AND SPACED FROM SAID MAIN AND COUNTER ROLLERS, AND FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD IDLER ROLLERS AND A ROD ALL PARALLEL TO AND SPACED FROM EACH OTHER AND SADI HOLDER AND MAIN AND COUNTER ROLLERS, SAID FIRST IDLER ROLLER IN FRONT OF SAID MAIN AND COUNTER ROLLERS, SAID SECOND IDLER ROLLER BETWEEN SAID FIRST IDLER ROLLER AND SAID MAIN AND COUNTER ROLLERS, SAID THIRD IDLER ROLLER IN FRONT OF THE SECOND IDLER ROLLER AND ABOVE THE LEVEL OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND IDLER ROLLERS, SAID ROD BETWEEN SAID SECOND AND THIRD IDLER ROLLERS AND INTERSECTING THE LINE TANGENT TO THE TOP OF SAID SECOND IDLER ROLLER AND THE BOTTOM OF SAID THIRD IDLER ROLLER WHEREBY THE MASTER SHEET EXTENDED FROM SAID HOLDER OVER THE FRONT AND TOP OF SAID FIRST IDLER ROLLER, UNDER, BEHIND AND OVER THE SECOND IDLER ROLLER, UNDER THE ROD, UNDER, IN FRONT OF AND OVER THE THIRD IDLER ROLLER AND BACK UNDER THE ROD AND THEN BETWEEN SAID MAIN AND COUNTER ROLLERS IS FRICTIONALLY ENGAGED IN DOUBLE THICKNESS BY SAID ROD, SAID GUIDE MEANS BEING THEREBY ADAPTED TO MAINTAIN SAID MASTER SHEET UNDER SUFFICIENT FRICTION ALONG A SUFFICIENTLY LONG PATH SO THAT FINGER PRESSURE ON SAID MASTER SHEET ADJACENT EITHER SIDE EDGE THEREOF AGAINST SAID FIRST IDLER ROLLER CAUSES SHIFTING OF SAID MASTER SHEET ON SAID IDLER ROLLERS IN THE DIRECTION OUTWARDLY OF SAID SIDE EDGE. 